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Cuellar urges House to extend benefits

Washington, D.C. -- Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar expressed support for the Senate amendment to H.R. 3630, the Middle Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011, a measure that would have prevented tax hikes for 160 million American families on Jan. 01, 2012, and extended unemployment benefits for 2.3 million of Americans.

“I am dismayed that House Republicans refused to bring up bipartisan legislation that would have provided American middle-class families tax cuts and maintained unemployment benefits to help those who rely on this assistance to make ends meet,” said Congressman Cuellar.

House Republicans did not bring up the Senate amendment to H.R. 3630 for consideration in the House of Representatives, instead they brought up a Motion that the House disagree to the Senate Amendments to H.R. 3630, Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011 and requested a conference with the U.S. Senate, as well as Democratic Motion to Instruct Conferees. Congressman Cuellar opposed both the motion and the conference.

“This is a trouble-making, not a problem-solving strategy by the House Majority and it is not effective legislating. House Republicans have stepped over a bipartisan bill that passed the Senate with 89 votes, including 80 percent of Senate Republicans and their leadership team. Just last week, the Speaker supported the Senate bill and referred to it as a ‘good deal’.

This switch of political gears and refusal to provide tax relief and extend jobless benefits is warped politics and has caused Americans’ record-breaking frustrations with Washington. I am disappointed that the middle-class will welcome the New Year with tax hikes and the unemployed will be impaired by no longer having maintained assistance with jobless benefits.

“I hope that we continue work before leaving for the year to provide relief to Americans. I uphold my promise to protect our families and those who are hit hardest during this fragile economy,” said Congressman Cuellar.

Background:

The House Republican Leadership brought up for consideration in the House of Representatives a procedural vote on disagreeing to the Senate amendment and requesting a Conference. The motion that the House Disagree to the Senate Amendments and request a Conference with the Senate on H.R. 3630, Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011 is a motion that would stop the Senate proposal from being enacted into law. The motion was adopted by a vote of 229 -- 193. The motion guarantees that the House will not vote on the bipartisan Senate agreement, which 39 Senate Republicans and 50 Senate Democrats supported.

While not brought up for a vote in the House, Congressman Cuellar has expressed support for the Senate’s Amendment H.R. 3630, the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011 will extend the payroll tax cut and extend unemployment benefits that would be good up to 99 weeks. The bill would have also allowed 48 million Americans on Medicare access to their doctors by addressing Medicare reimbursement rates for doctors to prevent a 27.4 percent cut. The bill also requires the President to grant a permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline project within 60 days. It also includes an extension of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Additionally, this bill does not violate CUTGO and would cut the deficit by $3B over the decade, according to CBO.

Additionally, Congressman Cuellar became a cosponsor of the bipartisan Senate compromise bill to extend the payroll tax cut, unemployment insurance and Medicare reimbursement rates to physicians through February 29, 2012. This was supported in the Senate by 89 Senators and gained support from House Democrats with the intention to bring up the bill for a vote.

"ya'll"??? Really? What is this to you, a college football game?
The reason we are in the mess we're in is because of this "us vs ya'll" mentality. Believe it or not, we'uns ain't against ya'll....,... More ›

"ya'll"??? Really? What is this to you, a college football game?
The reason we are in the mess we're in is because of this "us vs ya'll" mentality. Believe it or not, we'uns ain't against ya'll...., whatever the group is that you identify with.
Since you claim to not be a Democrap, unemployed, taking welfare, uninsured, uneducated, poor or even old, I'm not sure what group you side with. All we know is who you are against; the TEA party in particular and GOP in general and anyone that wants to cut spending and get the country back on good fiscal ground and use some good common sense to solve our problems.
What we do know for sure, this good ship lollypop is going down, friend, and unless you have some master plan to save your special identity group from the impending doom, you'd best be for grabbing a bucket and start bailing like the rest of us.

Elaine liked him, she wrote about it. Thats the rub, every single clown these people roll out yall jump on like cattle. Christine Odonnell? Seriously? Sharon Angle? Miller?
Its like a bad nightmare that wont end. Rick Perry... More ›

Elaine liked him, she wrote about it. Thats the rub, every single clown these people roll out yall jump on like cattle. Christine Odonnell? Seriously? Sharon Angle? Miller?
Its like a bad nightmare that wont end. Rick Perry the utter bumbling idiot jumped on the Tea Party train and yall fell for it, now he's out making a fool of all of us. He is a democrat, hello.

"yall wanted to make him your presidential nominee."
Who you callin' "ya'll"? I wouldn't vote for Trump for dog catcher. He's 100% phony from his pompadour comb-over to his $200 pimp loafers. He... More ›

"yall wanted to make him your presidential nominee."
Who you callin' "ya'll"? I wouldn't vote for Trump for dog catcher. He's 100% phony from his pompadour comb-over to his $200 pimp loafers. He thinks he can buy and sell people, (and mostly dumb blondes), like he does failed real estate property.
Trump is the poster boy for the adage, "Money makes money". If he hadn't been born into it and handed his business to him on a silver spoon, he'd be lucky to be running a hair club for men in downtown Cincinnati.
The only thing bigger, uglier and more over-rated than Trump Towers is Trump's ego.

"No Rock 'n you d*mb*ss,..."
heh heh...That's what I like about you Tex. You are the quintessential essence of tact. But, come on now. Don't sugarcoat it. I can take it.
So eh.... does this mean you don't... More ›

"No Rock 'n you d*mb*ss,..."
heh heh...That's what I like about you Tex. You are the quintessential essence of tact. But, come on now. Don't sugarcoat it. I can take it.
So eh.... does this mean you don't want me for a neighbor?

"....not much to get your panties in a wad over."
Was this the point I missed? Sorry. I thought your really smart point was that illegal entry is no worse than a speeding ticket and, therefore, should be ignored... More ›

"....not much to get your panties in a wad over."
Was this the point I missed? Sorry. I thought your really smart point was that illegal entry is no worse than a speeding ticket and, therefore, should be ignored if you've been doing it all your life"
========================================================
No Rock 'n you d*mb*ss, that was ot the point!

I'm not sure what the 1% is. I'm not presently seeing any "bonzo bucks" because I capped out my Social Security contribution a few paychecks ago. You don't have to pay after you cap out, this year's cap was 106,800.... More ›

I'm not sure what the 1% is. I'm not presently seeing any "bonzo bucks" because I capped out my Social Security contribution a few paychecks ago. You don't have to pay after you cap out, this year's cap was 106,800. After the first I'll go back to paying the 4.2% that I paid last year.
To play along with your snarky musing: If I did realize an extra 2%, I'll do what I do with all increases I get (including my annual raise) - minimize and delay my tax burden. My 401 is maxed, but my wife is only putting like 12k in hers - so I could increase that more- and also, I put some money into deferred compensation annually. I can increase that if I want. I haven't spent a bonus check or raise in years. I'm in my 40's and hope to retire one day with some legs left to enjoy it.
How about you? Any big plans?

" if ANY of these candidates win. "
.....and if ACORN and the SEIU have anything to do with it, Obonzo could steal the election.
So, gee, what are you going to spend all that whoppin' 2% tax cut on, Alvin?... More ›

" if ANY of these candidates win. "
.....and if ACORN and the SEIU have anything to do with it, Obonzo could steal the election.
So, gee, what are you going to spend all that whoppin' 2% tax cut on, Alvin? I bet those Obonzo bucks are just burnin' a hole in your pockets. Oh that's right, you are up there in the 1%, so you won't be seeing any of those Obonzo bucks. tisk tisk

"america's chickens have come home to roost. :( "
OK, Reverend Wrong.
"I personally would vote for Palin if she ran INDEPENDANT (and I think she's a moron) "
Which would achieve your goal of... More ›

"america's chickens have come home to roost. :( "
OK, Reverend Wrong.
"I personally would vote for Palin if she ran INDEPENDANT (and I think she's a moron) "
Which would achieve your goal of 4 more years of this national nightmare...and proves you are also a moron, albeit a college educated professional one.

4 more years is unfortunately, with the current slate of options the best scenario but it really is not the best this country can do.
We desperately need a third party. It'a farse to even declare us a two party system now,... More ›

4 more years is unfortunately, with the current slate of options the best scenario but it really is not the best this country can do.
We desperately need a third party. It'a farse to even declare us a two party system now, when both parties act the same and do the same thing. They feign arguments to divide people. Our democracy is a joke.
The Tea Party SHOULD have gone independant. I personally would vote for Palin if she ran INDEPENDANT (and I think she's a moron)

"....not much to get your panties in a wad over."
Was this the point I missed? Sorry. I thought your really smart point was that illegal entry is no worse than a speeding ticket and, therefore, should be ignored... More ›

"....not much to get your panties in a wad over."
Was this the point I missed? Sorry. I thought your really smart point was that illegal entry is no worse than a speeding ticket and, therefore, should be ignored if you've been doing it all your life.... because, as everyone knows, if you've been getting away with speeding all your life, and you're a really good neighbor, the cops will just ignore it and you can speed all you want, right?
Actually, the whole issue of what to do with illegals who have been here "all their lives", (except for when they were born), and have managed to escape and evade the law, can be easily solved by simply putting a statute of limitation of say, 20 years on the oh-so insignificant ticketable offense of illegal entry.
Obonzo and all the RINOs could also say, honestly for once, that it would not be amnesty.
After all, the Statute of Limitation on money laundering is only 5 years. A minor offense not worth wadding one's panties over, should surely not be treated the same as murder, a crime that carries no statute of limitation.

Rock 'n...No one said anything about a Second offense. Fact is, crossing the border illegally is a misdemeanor. If you want to nitpik go right ahead. i'm surprised you weren't sharp enough to pick up on the point I was... More ›

Rock 'n...No one said anything about a Second offense. Fact is, crossing the border illegally is a misdemeanor. If you want to nitpik go right ahead. i'm surprised you weren't sharp enough to pick up on the point I was making...extremely disappointed.

RnR my point is to illustrate that the allegedly furthest right candidate, tea party darling Rick Perry manages his government just like Obama does.
Everything you say about Obama, Rick has done here in Texas. Rick is all... More ›

RnR my point is to illustrate that the allegedly furthest right candidate, tea party darling Rick Perry manages his government just like Obama does.
Everything you say about Obama, Rick has done here in Texas. Rick is all about big government. Heck the guy was a democrat and supported Al Gore.
There is nothing different about the GOP and the Democrats. They both stink to high heaven.

"crossing over into the US illegally is a misdemeanor similar to getting a speeding ticket...."
Not so, Kemosabe. A speeding ticket is generally treated as an infraction. A misdemeanor traffic offense, like wreckless... More ›

"crossing over into the US illegally is a misdemeanor similar to getting a speeding ticket...."
Not so, Kemosabe. A speeding ticket is generally treated as an infraction. A misdemeanor traffic offense, like wreckless driving is similar perhaps, but the second time you get caught crossing the border it is a felony.
8 U.S.C. § 1325 : US Code - Section 1325: Improper entry by alien:
Any alien who (1) enters or attempts to enter the United States at any time or place other than as designated by immigration officers, or (2) eludes examination or inspection by immigration officers, or (3) attempts to enter or obtains entry to the United States by a willfully false or misleading representation or the
willful concealment of a material fact, shall, for the first commission of any such offense, be fined under title 18 or imprisoned not more than 6 months, or both, and, for a subsequent commission of any such offense, be fined under title 18, or imprisoned not more than 2 years, or both.

"but our own Rick Perry ..."
What does Rick Perry have to do with our discussion? Does he tell Obonzo what to do? Obonzo is the problem, not Rick Perry who just "wants" to be President.
So, Obonzo... More ›

"but our own Rick Perry ..."
What does Rick Perry have to do with our discussion? Does he tell Obonzo what to do? Obonzo is the problem, not Rick Perry who just "wants" to be President.
So, Obonzo spends more money than any other president and thinks that is something to brag about. "Hey, look everybody, I spent more money on that border than any other President! Eh....and I sued more states too. Eh....and I think 2 months of fuel oil is actually better than a whole year...eh... because eh... I say so. And eh.... the media agrees with me!"

You are lying about my previous positions on immigration. I am a proponent for stopping illegal immigration by whatever means is available. But, a large percentage of the immigrants are good, hard working, family oriented people... More ›

You are lying about my previous positions on immigration. I am a proponent for stopping illegal immigration by whatever means is available. But, a large percentage of the immigrants are good, hard working, family oriented people that want to support their families. I see nothing wrong with that. Illegal immigrants should be afforded a very very easy guest worker program that would keep track of them and where they are employed. We need their labor and they need our jobs...that's just a very capitalistic market situation. Why make it difficult?
And, last I checked, crossing over into the US illegally is a misdemeanor similar to getting a speeding ticket....not much to get your panties in a wad over. We have always had illegal immigrants in Texas and have never had any problems until 911.
Given the choice, I'd rather have some illegal immigrants that I know for neighbors than some of the Caucasian people close by.

And, what's wrong with Illegal immigrants who have been in Texas all their lives receiving 'in state' tuition rates? Their parents have been paying taxes and contributing to American society for a very long time. What would... More ›

And, what's wrong with Illegal immigrants who have been in Texas all their lives receiving 'in state' tuition rates? Their parents have been paying taxes and contributing to American society for a very long time. What would you like to do? Deny these young people a chance to get educated and make a decent life themselves. Obviously you have never known any illegal immigrants..I had one working for me that was in the top 10 in his high school (4000 students at his high school, and that's top 10, not top 10%). And, his sister was the valedictorian at the same school. And, you want to deny these very smart, energetic kids an opportunity for college? God, what a cold hearted *astard you are.
And, I don't care what Obama's position on 'anything' is, it is going to reflect the far left liberal Socialist view with which I strongly disagree. He's either a Socialist or a Communist and yet everyone wants to tiptoe around that word and refuse to call him what he really is.

You have a problem with Obama's immigration remarks, but our own Rick Perry stands by his decision to pay for illegal immigrants to attend Texas colleges. Rick is ok with illegals in Texas, but he wants to be President.

Obama is on the TV right now talking about how great that 2 month extension of the payroll tax holiday is. 2 months! Is he on crack? Using the bully pulpit to show how partisan and corrupt he is and how stupid he thinks the average... More ›

Obama is on the TV right now talking about how great that 2 month extension of the payroll tax holiday is. 2 months! Is he on crack? Using the bully pulpit to show how partisan and corrupt he is and how stupid he thinks the average Obonzo voter is.
If he really cared about the folks who need the money to buy heating fuel, (his example), instead of using this issue to beat up the GOP and score points, he'd tell his little henchman Harry Reid to just allow the Senate to pass the House bill for a year. PASS THAT BILL, OBONZO!!!
In another speech, Obonzo was bragging about how much money he's spent on protecting the border. He said he spent more on the border than any other President. Well, that's typical Democrat mentality - just throw money at a problem and hope it goes away. Throw some money and HOPE for CHANGE.
It doesn't matter that it hasn't made a dent in the problem. Maybe it's your catch and release policy that's really the problem. Maybe it's your Attorney General suing the states for actually doing something about the problem. How much money have you spent on all those lawsuits, Obonzo?

The GOP needs to put forward a real/serious flat or fair tax candidate that will run on income tax reform- and actually mean it. None of this Cain 999 sillyness. A real candidate serious about income tax reform.
The countries... More ›

The GOP needs to put forward a real/serious flat or fair tax candidate that will run on income tax reform- and actually mean it. None of this Cain 999 sillyness. A real candidate serious about income tax reform.
The countries problems cannot be addressed unless you start with the foundation. The problem starts with the income tax system. Spending is further down the chain, you start at the beginning- the tax system.

There is no doubt that the Republican leadership needs a thorough housecleaning. We need principled leaders who have the testicular fortitude to stand up for their principles. That is a long term assignment. The current assignment... More ›

There is no doubt that the Republican leadership needs a thorough housecleaning. We need principled leaders who have the testicular fortitude to stand up for their principles. That is a long term assignment. The current assignment is for us to pick the bozo who will do the best job for this Country.

" it's not a fruitful discussion."
Soooo, why then did you continue it?
" play in the mud with the trailer park crowd,"
That ain't the TEA party. That's the Cuelliar voter base.
Alvin, if... More ›

" it's not a fruitful discussion."
Soooo, why then did you continue it?
" play in the mud with the trailer park crowd,"
That ain't the TEA party. That's the Cuelliar voter base.
Alvin, if you are in fact an upper middle class, college educated professional person, it seems to me you would be the ideal TEA party supporter. They want people like you to keep more of what you earn.
What's wrong with that?

If you have to ask whats crazy about the TEA Party you won't agree with the answer so it's not a fruitful discussion. I prefer to have responsible, thoughtful, purposeful managers administering the affairs of our nation and... More ›

If you have to ask whats crazy about the TEA Party you won't agree with the answer so it's not a fruitful discussion. I prefer to have responsible, thoughtful, purposeful managers administering the affairs of our nation and not reality television stars, talk show hosts and beauty queens.
Qualified professionals doing the right things right.
I'm not going to vote for or support a baffoon in a clown suit. When the GOP is respectful of the real base then i'll vote for them again. The real base is the working professionals who REALLY drive this economy and are the backbone of the country. College educated, Working, Taxpayers. They can continue to play in the mud with the trailer park crowd, but they won't get my vote until they get serious and get to work.

" crazy tea party crap."
What part of "taxed enough already" don't you understand? That is all the TEA party stands for- Responsible government that does not over spend and then over tax the people... More ›

" crazy tea party crap."
What part of "taxed enough already" don't you understand? That is all the TEA party stands for- Responsible government that does not over spend and then over tax the people to pay for it.
What is so crazy about that, Alvin?

Well you mistakenly labelled me a democrat because I don't buy into the sillyness that the GOP turned itself into. I didn't leave the party, they abandoned people like me. Upper middle class working people who want efficient... More ›

Well you mistakenly labelled me a democrat because I don't buy into the sillyness that the GOP turned itself into. I didn't leave the party, they abandoned people like me. Upper middle class working people who want efficient government and responsible management of our affairs- I don't like the trailer park trolling the GOP did with Joe the Plumber and the crazy tea party crap. I just want professionals running the country. I was always a Republican until they rolled their Reality TV show.

The Republicans in the House dropped the ball again. They just cannot figure out how this political one-upsmanship works. They should have passed a bill extending the withholding tax cut for a year and let the Demo controlled... More ›

The Republicans in the House dropped the ball again. They just cannot figure out how this political one-upsmanship works. They should have passed a bill extending the withholding tax cut for a year and let the Demo controlled Senate and the President kill it. Then the Dems would be the ones on the defensive. Why mess with this witholding thing at all? Let it expire and reduce tax rates across the board. Social security is bankrupt already. Cutting off the flow of funds into SS just puts it in the hole even more. But who cares. What is a few hundred million more in red ink? It's the wasteful spending stupid.

"The Democrats need to stop using the payroll tax as political bait."
Either some hardcore, anti-Obama, conservative wacko is posing as Alvin, or we need to send paramedics out to the Occupy SA encampment to check... More ›

"The Democrats need to stop using the payroll tax as political bait."
Either some hardcore, anti-Obama, conservative wacko is posing as Alvin, or we need to send paramedics out to the Occupy SA encampment to check on him. He may have gotten into some bad fruitcake or something.....

I am middle class and I don't mind getting taxed. I believe if higher clas gets taxed then we all should get taxed. I also believe that before we start taxing, government needto trim it's fat first. Quit spending like we have... More ›

I am middle class and I don't mind getting taxed. I believe if higher clas gets taxed then we all should get taxed. I also believe that before we start taxing, government needto trim it's fat first. Quit spending like we have an open checkbook. How about all these congressmen and elected officials to include your huge staffs take a pay cut first and eliminate all the unneeded positions. I don't mean get rid of the blue collar worker but minimize your staffs. There are jobs out there and at some point unemPloyment needs to stop at how many weeks do we say enough is enough get a job. I took a job that is much less then what I was making, but I needed a job so I took it. I will not sit on my butt and take unemployment when I know I'm able to work